Monday 28 February 2011

making a ripple effect blanket

Today was very hot and humid and, call me crazy but, I sat and did some crochet at lunchtime.  Woollens and hot weather don't necessarily go hand-in-hand but I'm trying to get this done before winter (June 1st).

It will be a blanket for Mikayla when finished.

I'm using a ripple stitch and I absolutely LOVE the effect!

After a lot of searching, I found a very easy-to-follow pattern for ripple stitch over at Attic24. All I needed was the basics and it was all systems go from there.  Here's a hot tip...be sure to cast on the initial chain stitches quite loose so that it sits nice and flat when the ripple pattern forms.

I've started rolling the wool I buy into balls after getting a hot tip from Tammy who makes beautiful baby afghans among other things.  Shop-bought wool can unravel when you don't want it to and end up in terrible knots which can be near impossible to undo. I find the wool also rolls out so much easier as I work.

This blanket is sure to keep my little granddaughter cosy and warm throughout the winter months and knowing this makes me feel all cosy and warm inside.

~ Love, light and peace ~

22 comments:

  1. That is so pretty!! I can see why you want to have it done before the cold weather comes. Mikayla will be snug as a bug under that this winter. :)

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  2. Beautiful Serena! Love the colours. I must get back to finishing my crocheted "twirly" scarves when I get home (where it's much, much cooler!)

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  3. Ooh its so pretty!!! I want one. Gorgeous colors. She's going to love it.

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  4. Hi Serena! Lovely blanket. I crochet too - especially while watching tv - nice to keep the hands busy. Odd hearing you are preparing for winter as I am longing for spring. It's been a very long, cold winter here and spring/summer can't arrive fast enough!
    hugs
    SuZen

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  5. Lovely Serena..something about making someone you love a gift..makes me warm and gooey..my daughter has a blanket like this one in her treasure chest...my granddaughter is coming for a visit in a few weeks...haven't held her since July..oh what fun..take care and enjoy your granddauaghter..

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  6. What a lovely blanket it is going to be. Love the colours you have chosen, perfect for a baby.

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  7. That is going to be such a beautiful blankent for your Grandbaby. She will love it!! You are such a good Grandmama. Those colors are just awesome. They are some of my favorites. Have a great week.

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  8. That is a huge labour of love Serena and such gorgeous colours too. Your granddaughter will cherish her blanket. Handmade blankets are so much better than bought ones. I really like this ripple design and will go and check out the pattern, a scarf in this pattern will look great this winter I think. And thanks for the tip about re-rolling the balls, I often have the knotting problem.
    Lee:)

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  9. This will be a beautiful blanket for your baby grand-daughter Serena......you are so talented with your knitting, crochet, drawing and painting.

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  10. I love the ripple pattern, and the colors are so fresh and pretty. They remind me of lemons, limes, and strawberries....yum!

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  11. hop a plane and bring some sun and warmth with you Serena....it's a freezing cold -36C with the windchill factored in. ..... I'm baking and hanging out in my kitchen. Today I baked Rumpelstiltskin's polymer head too...and kind of torched his ears a tiny bit...but, it's perfect. When I paint the rest of it....they will just appear a bit darker on the tips....

    Love the pretty blue bottles in your header pic...

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  12. Beautiful blankie for a beautiful baby! Hugs all around
    8-)

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  13. I hope your winter is milder than our winter has been. They say it is due to Global Warming...

    I like the crochet work you are doing. I like the colors a lot.

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  14. I am envious. I tried my hand at crocheting a few months ago and just could not get the hang of it. I know the feeling of working with wool when it's hot outside :) Your work is stunning!!!

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  15. ouuu.. beautiful and the colors are great! ♥

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  16. I love that pattern and the colors you choose are stunning. My sister made one for me when I was school age in pinks and purples and I've kept it to this day. I'm sure your grand baby will cherish hers.

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  17. You're such a sweet grandmother! This will be an heirloom for that little girl to cherish!

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  18. Thanks, everyone...I'm really pleased with how it's coming along.

    Lee - I was thinking this pattern would make a nice scarf too ~ :)

    Vee - It sounds like Rumpelstiltskin's ear scorching was a happy accident..the best kind!

    Abe - Our winters are usually quite mild compared to the US.

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  19. I can just see Mikayla snuggled up under this blanket. It even looks like it will be big enough for me to hop under with her aswell, lol.

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  20. Beautiful work! This looks so cozy and the colors are fabulous.

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